05/06/2008  Happy Valley  Race 1

SPEED OF LIGHT was withdrawn on 4.6.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LAZY BUDDIES (F Coetzee). Before being allowed to race again, SPEED OF LIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After arriving at the Start, B Prebble expressed concern over the action of EXCELLENT PLASTIC. EXCELLENT PLASTIC was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was stiff and restricted in its hindlimb action and in his opinion was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of EXCELLENT PLASTIC. Before being allowed to race again, EXCELLENT PLASTIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after arriving at the Start, it was noted CAPABILITY had shifted its left front plate. This plate was reset. CAPABILITY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, FANTASTIC WIN was checked to avoid the heels of LAZY BUDDIES which at this time was carried in by CAPABEL (W M Lai). In this incident, DENDRANTHEMA LOVE was hampered. W M Lai was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Approaching the 1200 Metres, BAUHINIA got its head up when being steadied while momentarily crowded for room inside SINOSPIEL which shifted in slightly. No action was taken. After the 1200 Metres, CAPABEL got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of CAPABILITY. After the 1000 Metres, when the tempo of the race slowed, a number of runners were inconvenienced, the worst sufferers being SHOW BRAVELY, KAISER'S CHOIX and BAUHINIA. Some inconvenience was also caused to TOUCH DOWN. After entering the Back Straight, CAPABEL was shifted out and allowed to stride forward. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, BAUHINIA was crowded for room inside KAISER'S CHOIX which was carried in slightly by CAPABILITY. When questioned regarding the improved performance of WATCHMAN, Trainer B K Ng explained because of the anticipated slow pace of the race it was intended to have WATCHMAN ridden in a position slightly forward of midfield. He said WATCHMAN was able to obtain a position outside the leader in a slowly run race without having a lot of use being made of it. He said in his opinion the manner in which tonight's race was run favoured horses racing in a forward position and this accounted for the improved performance. When questioned regarding the poor performance of the last start winner, FANTASTIC WIN, H W Lai said from a wide barrier he was instructed to allow the horse to drift back in the early stages and obtain a position with cover. He said FANTASTIC WIN received interference after passing the winning post on the first occasion, then over-raced due to the slow tempo. He said because of the manner in which FANTASTIC WIN travelled in a slowly run race it failed to close off in the Home Straight. FANTASTIC WIN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FANTASTIC WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. KAISER'S CHOIX, WATCHMAN and SINOSPIEL were sent for sampling.